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2016's form guide: The risers and the fallers

Staff writers
May 4, 2016 7:00AM

Mitch Wallis has rocketed up the charts from 146 to 77

AFTER six rounds, trends are emerging in the Schick AFL Player Ratings and the big movers are revealing themselves.

There have been shifts in the top 10, such as Nic Naitanui's significant move from No.8 to No.5.

At the same time players such as Taylor Adams (No.223 to No.133) have been rocketing up through the lower ranks.

Climbing the Player Ratings becomes harder the higher you get, while players can drop quickly once they're out of the top 100 and trending down. We track the major climbers and fallers at your club and identify the top dog of every team six rounds into 2016.

Biggest climb: Half-forward Tom Lynch is a key cog in moving the Crows from defence to attack. He's ranked second at the club in marks, third in goals and top five in kicks, uncontested possessions and marks inside 50. Lynch has improved 46 spots in the player ratings.

Falling down: The hit-out numbers of ruckman Sam Jacobs are slightly down this year. Jacobs has gone from averaging 37.4 hit-outs last year to 34.8 in the opening six rounds. He's also averaging fewer marks (4.2 to 2.8) and kicks (8.9 to 6.2), although his disposals are up. Jacobs has moved down 10 spots overall, from No.12 to No.22.

Highest rated: Midfielder Rory Sloane has regained the No.1 mantle at the Crows after Patrick Dangerfield's move to Geelong. Sloane has slipped one place overall from No.5 down to No.6. Sloane is fifth in goal assists, 10th in tackles in the competition and is the barometer of the Crows' engine room. - Lee Gaskin

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

Tom Lynch

130

176

46

Rory Laird

160

188

28

Daniel Talia

252

294

42

​

On The Slide

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

Sam Jacobs

22

12

10

Brodie Smith

55

45

10

taylor walker

127

116

11

Biggest climb: By his lofty 2015 standards, ruckman Stefan Martin has actually started quite slowly this season, but has still climbed 61 places to 70th overall. Martin didn't play in the first half of 2014, so anything in the first 11 rounds this year is cream on the cake. The 29-year-old has still been solid though, averaging 16 disposals and 23 hitouts.

Falling down: Much like last year, injuries have curtailed the early season form of Tom Rockliff and seen him slide 11 places. A calf niggle cost the skipper two matches and in the other four he is averaging just 22 disposals. With 32 touches and 10 tackles at the weekend, watch for him to start climbing again though.

Highest rated: Dayne Zorko assumed the Lions' top spot last year and has continued to climb. He is now a permanent midfielder, finds plenty of the ball (25 touches a game), continues tackling (seven a game) and kicks one goal a game. He was brilliant against the Swans on Sunday. - Michael Whiting

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

stefan martin

70

131

61

dayne zorko

14

19

5

allen christensen

168

226

58

​

On The Slide

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

tom rockliff

72

61

11

sam mayes

355

315

40

josh green

108

99

9

Biggest climb: Matthew Wright is Carlton’s leading goalkicker after six rounds with 7.3. He is equal second at the club for inside 50s (23) and third for score involvements (30), but has added value at stoppages with the occasional run in the midfield. Since leaving the Crows at the end of last season he has risen 29 spots.

Falling down: Marc Murphy topped the Blues for disposals last season, averaging almost 27 a game, and was No.1 for kicks with 15. This year his numbers have dropped considerably, with his average disposals just below 22, although his figures were not helped by an injury against the Bulldogs in round four. He is at No.48 overall, down from No.35 at the end of last season.

Highest rated: Murphy is clearly rated as the Blues' No. 1 player and with good reason. The skipper provides much-needed polish with his disposals and has stepped up in key moments in the past two games with crucial last-quarter goals to help guide his team over the line. - Howard Kotton

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

Matthew wright

151

180

29

ed curnow

178

204

26

sam docherty

218

244

26

​

On The Slide

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

marc murphy

48

35

13

kade simpson

132

100

32

zach tuohy

216

198

18

Biggest climb: Hard-nosed midfielder Taylor Adams' standing at Collingwood continues to rise, with the new leadership group member elevating himself 90 spots this year to No.133. Third at the club for possessions, averaging 27.6 in his five games, the tough nut they call 'Tay' is also second in clearances and rebounds, and third in inside 50s.

Falling down: In this instance skipper Scott Pendlebury is a victim of both his courage to play with injury and his phenomenally high standards. The brilliant left-footer has dropped five places from No.2 to No.7 while playing basically all six games under duress. Sore ribs necessitated a move to half-back, limiting his clearance and contested-ball numbers, along with his influence.

Highest rated: Pendlebury is still 22 places clear of his nearest teammate, boom recruit Adam Treloar (No.29), who has been the Pies' best and most consistent performer this year. - Ben Collins

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

taylor adams

133

223

90

jack crisp

114

170

56

alex fasolo

195

275

80

​

On The Slide

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

scott pendlebury

7

2

5

jesse white

269

214

55

jarryd blair

152

125

27

Biggest climb: Zach Merrett's more permanent move into the midfield has resulted in a jump up the ratings board. The classy left-footer has averaged 28 disposals a game so far this year and has become one of Essendon's most important players.

Falling down: Despite his strong form in his new colours as an Essendon top-up player, Mathew Stokes has plummeted down the Schick AFL Player Ratings tables. He started the season placed at No.135 but has dropped to 177 after six rounds.

Highest rated: The highest-ranked Bomber is suspended midfielder Dyson Heppell, who comes in at No.28. Next best is Brendon Goddard at No.62, who has taken over the Essendon captaincy this year with skipper Jobe Watson and vice-captain Heppell out all season. - Callum Twomey

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

zach merrett

134

162

28

courtenay dempsey

261

304

43

david zaharakis

118

134

16

​

On The Slide

Biggest climb: Michael Walters has spent more time in the midfield this year and has climbed from outside the top 100 to No.63 overall as a result. He has still spent a fair amount of time forward and is the Dockers' leading goalkicker with 13. But he's averaging more disposals and more clearances per game this season. He has jumped 60 spots overall since the end of last season.

Falling down: An unfortunate one-game suspension and a sickening rib/lung injury means Aaron Sandilands has only played five quarters of football this season and he has dropped from 15 to 21 as a result. He will fall even further as the Dockers won't risk bringing him back any earlier than he needs to.

Highest rated: Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe is the No.1 player in the competition at the moment. But he may not play again this season after suffering his second left fibula fracture in eight months in round five. - Alex Malcolm

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

michael walters

63

123

60

lachie neale

88

101

13

garrick ibbotson

210

235

25

​

On The Slide

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

aaron sandilands

21

15

6

michael johnson

203

154

49

tendai mzungu

302

233

69

Biggest climb: Josh Caddy has leapt 45 places as he benefits from being the third best inside player at the Cats. The 23-year-old has been a consistent performer since the start of 2014 and finished seventh in the Cats best and fairest last year. He has not missed a game in 2016 and has already kicked eight goals as a midfielder.

Falling down: To say Joel Selwood has fallen doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but such was the standard he set in 2014 it's hard for him to maintain his rating. Selwood, however, has consolidated his position in the top 10 players in the competition in recent weeks and it's hard to argue he will lose that status anytime soon.

Highest rated: Patrick Dangerfield has been in super form after joining Geelong and is threatening to take over top spot soon. He wins the ball inside and outside the contest and makes his teammates better. - Peter Ryan

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

josh caddy

67

112

45

mark blicavs

93

122

29

zac smith

274

354

80

​

On The Slide

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

joel selwood

9

6

3

mitch duncan

59

42

17

corey enright

126

102

24

Biggest climb: It's no surprise that forward Tom Lynch has made the biggest jump to 37th overall. Lynch has been the Suns' best player through six rounds and is leading the Coleman Medal race with 24 goals. He has also taken the most contested marks in the competition (19).

Falling down: His form is up on last season's disappointment, but former Swan Nick Malceski has still taken the biggest dive, down 41 spots to 119th overall. This largely comes down to the first six weeks of Malceski's All Australian season in 2014 no longer counting. He is still finding the ball, with 20 touches a game.

Highest rated: Reigning best and fairest Tom Lynch took over from skipper Gary Ablett as the Suns' number one man in the opening round of the season. Ablett has missed a stack of footy in the past two years and will undoubtedly climb again later in 2016. - Michael Whiting

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

tom lynch

37

58

21

aaron hall

129

171

42

alex sexton

286

374

88

​

On The Slide

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

nick malceski

119

78

41

brandon matera

220

157

63

jarrod harbrow

241

202

39

Biggest climb: A knee injury cost Dylan Shiel the last eight games of 2015 but he's started this season in stunning form, and has jumped up 53 spots to 26th on the list. The 23-year-old midfielder leads the Giants in disposals and clearances in 2016.

Falling down: A four-game suspension was a less than ideal way to start the season and it saw Jeremy Cameron fall to 224th on the rankings. The star forward is unlikely to keep falling though after booting eight goals in his first two games back.

Highest rated: Co-captain Callan Ward is the number one player at the Giants and has moved inside the top 20 from 22nd to number 18. He's the club's contested ball king and is one of many GWS midfielders in brilliant form this year. - Adam Curley

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

dylan shiel

26

79

53

shane mumford

96

142

46

rhys palmer

162

220

58

​

On The Slide

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

Jeremy cameron

224

197

27

joel patfull

228

211

17

devon smith

62

66

4

Biggest climb: Speedster Billy Hartung has risen from 393 to 313, a jump of 80 places in the rankings. He is averaging 22 disposals a game, up from an average of 15 before that, and his tackle count has doubled to three per game. What is interesting is that he remains a fringe player at the Hawks and was dropped for last week's clash with Greater Western Sydney.

Falling down: Isaac Smith is one of a number of Hawks whose form has dipped this year, and his ranking has tumbled from 107 to 149. His stats are similar to previous years, but other midfielders throughout the AFL have lifted their output, which explains his decline.

Highest rated: Cyril Rioli is enjoying a great season and his ranking through six games has improved from 18 to 12. His average disposals have increased by 2.5 a game and he is laying almost two more tackles a game. - Ashley Browne

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

cyril rioli

12

18

6

sam mitchell

27

40

13

billy hartung

313

393

80

​

On The Slide

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

jordan lewis

89

48

41

luke hodge

44

31

13

isaac smith

149

107

42

Isaac Smith's ranking has been on the slide this season. Picture: AFL Media

Biggest climb: Jack Viney has had an outstanding start to the season and would be vying with Max Gawn for the club's best and fairest award. The tough midfielder leads the team for disposals (29.2 per game), contested possessions (15.8), clearances (7.7) and tackles (5.8).

Falling down: Running defender Heritier Lumumba. Lumumba had off-season surgery on both of his ankles at the end of 2015, capping a disappointing first season in Melbourne colours. After missing round one, Lumumba has come back into the side and has added leadership and experience to a more hardened Melbourne side.

Highest rated: Demons skipper Nathan Jones has long held the top ranking at the club (68th overall) and has made a solid start to the season. Jones and Tom McDonald are the only Demons players to rank inside the competition's top 100. - Ben Guthrie

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

jack viney

113

173

60

neville jetta

231

285

54

tomas bugg

338

382

44

​

On The Slide

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

Heritier lumumba

233

200

33

lynden dunn

209

199

10

N/A

-

-

-

Biggest climb: In the form of his life, it's no surprise to see Jarrad Waite scaling the player rankings to 73rd from 129th at the start of the year. The reborn key forward is dominating in the Kangaroos' forward line and his 22 majors (and only six behinds) see him just two goals off Coleman Medal pace. Waite has improved disposal, marks, contested marks and tackle numbers too.

Falling down: Nick Dal Santo was quiet against the Western Bulldogs, which harmed his ratings, but, like many of his elder statesmen teammates, the classy veteran is enjoying a fine season. Dal Santo is averaging 21 touches – the second most of any Roo. In terms of ratings (down to 47), he's a victim of his own excellent form in 2015, which saw him climb to 16th overall.

Highest rated: Todd Goldstein's player ratings chart resembles a climb up L'Alpe D'Huez in the Tour de France, with the star Roo consistently moving up the charts since he was rated 85th overall in 2012. Goldstein is now No.3 in the competition and without peer as the best all-round ruckman in the game. - Travis King

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

jarrad waite

73

129

56

ben brown

204

290

86

jack ziebell

98

127

29

​

On The Slide

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

nick dal santo

47

33

14

drew petrie

163

124

39

brent harvey

13

10

3

Biggest climb: Midfielder Robbie Gray is one of the League's best at winning the ball at ground level. He's fourth in clearances and top 10 for contested possessions and inside 50s. Gray has moved up three spots to No.4 overall, demonstrating why the Power desperately need him to return from a hamstring injury.

Falling down: It's been a tough start to the season for Hamish Hartlett. He's gone from averaging 22.2 disposals a game in 2015 to 18 through the first six rounds this year and has struggled to make an impact. Hartlett has dropped 14 places from No.29 to No.43 overall.

Highest rated: Gray is not only the biggest improver in terms of percentage, but also the highest overall at Port, sitting in the No.4 spot. The reigning two-time best and fairest is one of the elite midfielders in the competition. - Lee Gaskin

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

Robbie Gray

4

7

3

Ollie Wines

54

76

22

Charlie Dixon

144

195

51

​

On The Slide

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

Hamish Hartlett

43

29

14

travis boak

24

17

7

Matt White

176

137

39

Biggest climb: Key forward Jack Riewoldt has impressed this season despite poor supply, and he has climbed to No.36 overall as a result. He leads the Tigers with marks inside 50 (17) and contested marks (14), and ranks equal sixth in the AFL with 16 goals. He has jumped 10 spots overall since the end of last season.

Falling down: It has been a difficult season for captain Trent Cotchin, and his fall down the Player Ratings is more a reflection of his team's problems. Cotchin has fought a lone battle in the midfield at times but can't lift his rating in a struggling 1-5 team.Highest rated: It took vice-captain Brett Deledio one match to take back his No.1 mantle at the Tigers from All-Australian teammate Alex Rance. Ranked No.31 overall, he regularly holds top billing at Tigerland when playing.- Nathan Schmook

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

Jack riewoldt

36

46

10

shane edwards

34

43

9

anthony miles

99

117

18

​

On The Slide

Biggest climb: Jack Steven has jumped 27 spots since the end of 2015, up to No. 45. He is continuing on from the form that saw him win best and fairests in 2013 and 2015. He sits 15th in the competition for clearances per game and works hard defensively as well, ranking fifth for tackles per game.

Falling down: Midfielder Leigh Montagna has dropped 12 spots, despite providing plenty of run this season playing at half-back. However, that positional change means his tackles have dropped by more than two per game, while his inside-50s have fallen by just over one per match.

Highest rated:David Armitage is the man at St Kilda, ranked No. 25 in the competition. His work at contested ball situations is excellent, and he is ranked ninth for clearances per game this season. His consistency over the past two years is significant, as that is the period in which Schick AFL Player Ratings are calculated. - Dinny Navaratnam

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

jack Steven

45

72

27

David Armitage

25

38

13

Shane Savage

91

133

42

​

On The Slide

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

Leigh Montagna

95

83

12

Luke Dunstan

192

182

10

N/A

-

-

-

Biggest climb: Midfielder Luke Parker is one of the early Brownlow Medal favourites after his extraordinary start to the year and has moved from 37th to number 20 in the ratings. Parker has averaged almost 30 touches per game in 2016 and kicked seven goals from six games.

Falling down: There's not too many out-of-form Swans this season but co-captain Jarrad McVeigh's off-season knee surgery cost him some early games, and he's dropped to number 60 on the list. McVeigh has played the past three matches and is slowly working his way back to his best.

Highest rated: Star midfielder Josh Kennedy has fallen one spot to number 10 in the ratings but he's been in outstanding touch. After a quiet round one – by his standards – Kennedy has picked up 27-plus possessions in his next five matches. - Adam Curley

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

luke Parker

20

37

17

dan Hannebery

30

39

9

Dane Rampe

135

174

39

​

On The Slide

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

Jarrad McVEIGH

60

52

8

Josh Kennedy

10

9

1

N/A

-

-

-

Biggest climb:Scott Lycett has made the most of his opportunity as West Coast's second ruckman behind NicNaitanui this season. Lycett has averaged almost 16 hitouts, 12 disposals, four marks and a goal. He has really hit his straps as a resting forward in his past three Domain Stadium games, booting a total of five goals.

Falling down: Star forward Mark LeCras has had an uncharacteristically poor start to the season. He had three goalless games in the first five rounds and averaged just 18 disposals, but he did respond in fine style last week with 27 touches and three goals.

Highest rated: Naitanui is rising with a bullet given his early season form. He's 10 spots clear of 2014 Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis, who has dropped from 14 to 15 after six rounds. - Alex Malcolm

On The Up

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

scott lycett

350

421

71

Josh Hill

137

203

66

Jeremy McGovern

74

90

16

​

On The Slide

PLAYER

Rating

Last Year

Difference

Mark LeCras

102

80

22

Elliot Yeo

136

118

18

Sharrod Wellingham

161

140

21

Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui has vaulted into the top five. Picture: AFL Media

Biggest climb: Before badly injuring his hamstring in round four, defensive playmaker Jason Johannisen was in career-best form that saw him jump from a rank of 219 to 147. He was averaging 24 disposals a game and hurting the opposition with his elite speed and sharp skills.

Falling down: A move from the midfield to defence sees evergreen veteran Matthew Boyd as the Dogs' biggest slider. Despite being a key part of the backline, the 34-year-old has slid from a rank of 81 to 110.

Highest rated: After taking a while to cement himself in the Dogs' midfield, Mitch Wallis has become a vital part of the rotation by averaging 24 disposals. The 23-year-old's ranking has skyrocketed from 146 to 77 as a result. - Ryan Davidson